It isn't hard to find the cash, but maybe some just don't want to reward mediocrity. 
I can tell you first hand that pinball in the "Arab" countries is virtually non-existent. Dubai for example, a heavily Westernised wealthy oasis has exactly one switched off Spiderman in the corner of the Sega Republic arcade in the Dubai Mall. It is filled instead with row upon row of the latest multilinked racers from BMI, redemption machines and shooters from Raw Thrills. Pinball barely gets a mention.
Gary's oft quoted three legged stool analogy is very pertinent in this case. Without North America, Europe or Aus/NZ distributors for NIB sales they wouldn't have a leg to stand on. 
I think you have greatly underestimated the percentage of pins in Dubai. There are exactly twice as many pins as that!
http://aussiepinball.com/index.php?topic=11718.0
It is fair to say pinball is not making much in roads there. 
Yep, missed that one, though I'm not sure how it would have looked with a bloke on his own loitering in the kids clothing area! Particularly in Dubai during Ramadan.
At least someone over there is giving it a go.
I'd had enough of redemptions and racers after half an hour.
Amazing place though. Looks like you and the family had a great time.
